SPORT

Dour draw overshadowed by Vincent Kompany injury

Manchester City and Dynamo Kyiv produced one of the worst games of football in Champions League knockout history this evening, with both sides failing to register a shot on target for the opening 60 minutes.

Of course, there wasn't a necessity for City to throw the kitchen sink at Kyiv. Manuel Pellegrini's side were sitting on a first leg victory and had three away goals which all but guaranteed their qualification before a ball was even kicked.

There will be some concern on the part of Pellegrini, who looks as though he'll have to prepare for this weekend's Manchester derby without captain Vincent Kompany.

The Belgian was withdrawn after just five minutes of play with what looked like a hamstring injury and his replacement Eliaquim Mangala looked completely off the pace for the remainder of the opening 45.

Nicolas Otamendi was then substituted as he suffered a knock during a collision, it is unclear whether he will miss this weekend's game also.

The first half came and went without much, if any, excitement.

For Kyiv, a team who had to no choice but to go for broke, they looked completely unsure of themselves. The usually mercurial Yarmolenko was quiet and many of the visitors' crosses failed to beat the first man.

The second half began with a greater urgency, but quickly fizzled out to the same tempo which ebbed more often than it flowed.

Sergio Aguero dragged his shot across goal after a neat one-two with Yaya Toure, while up the other end Yarmolenko had a chance but his effort was right down the throat of Joe Hart.

A save right at the death ensured that Hart kept his first clean sheet of the campaign, but for the fans who paid to see the game or even to those who travelled to across Europe, it was a dour spectacle.

Essentially, it was a case of job done. There may have been sloppy mistakes in their passing, their touches and in all honesty their general build-up play, but what is the most important is that they've made history.

Regardless of the performance tonight, this is the furthest they've ever made in the competition and that is a reason to celebrate.

The players will be remembered for the feat, but as for the performance? Forgettable.